Company:Arc System Works

From HandWiki
Short description: Japanese video game developer
Arc System Works Co., Ltd.
Native name
アークシステムワークス株式会社
Āku Shisutemu Wākusu kabushiki gaisha
TypeKabushiki gaisha
IndustryVideo games
FoundedMay 12, 1988[1]
FounderMinoru Kidooka
Headquarters
Yokohama
,
Key people
  • Minoru Kidooka[2]
  • (President and CEO)
  • Daisuke Ishiwatari[2]
  • (Chief Creative Officer)
  • Toshimichi Mori[2][3]
  • (Chief Development Officer [2003 - 2022])
Products
RevenueIncrease ¥680 million
Number of employees
180 (2022)[4]
Websitearcsystemworks.com

Arc System Works Co., Ltd. (アークシステムワークス株式会社, Āku Shisutemu Wākusu kabushiki gaisha), commonly referred to as ArcSys, is a Japanese video game developer and publisher located in Yokohama. Founded by Minoru Kidooka in 1988, the company is known for arcade 2D fighting game franchises, including Guilty Gear and BlazBlue, as well as other license-based fighting games for Dragon Ball FighterZ, Persona 4 Arena (Ultimax), Granblue Fantasy Versus (Rising), and others.

History

The company was founded in January 1988 and incorporated as Arc Co., Ltd. in May.[1] The company spent early years as a contract developer for Sega, Sammy, and Banpresto. It consisted at the time of around eight developers; most of whom had previously worked at Sega including founder Minoru Kidooka.[5] It was renamed Arc System Works in 1991.[6] In 1992 they developed a game for the Famicom called Pizza Pop!.[7] The company produced a series of Sailor Moon video games for publisher Angel including Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon S: Jōgai Rantō!? Shuyaku Sōdatsusen which was the first fighting game they produced.[8]

They published their first title in 1995 which was Exector for the PlayStation.[6]

On June 11, 2015, the company acquired all intellectual properties of Technōs Japan, such as Double Dragon and Kunio-Kun, from Million Co., Ltd.[9] Even prior to its acquisition of Million's library, the company had been the publisher of Technōs' video games for Virtual Console in Japan.[10][11][12][13] Following the transaction, the company took the publishing duties from Aksys Games for Virtual Console releases in North America,[14][15] though some Technōs games were already published by Arc System Works.[16]

On February 6, 2017, the company acquired the rights to the Jake Hunter, Theresia, Nazo no Jikenbo, and Koneko no Ie series from publisher WorkJam.[17] On November 2, 2017, the company announced the establishment of a North American branch in Torrance, California, known as Arc System Works America, Inc.[18]

Games developed

Year Title Platform(s) Publisher
1988 Final Lap Family Computer Namco
Double Dragon Master System Sega
1989 Scramble Spirits Master System Sega
Rolling Thunder Family Computer Namco
Battle Out Run Master System Sega
Vigilante Master System Sega
1990 Ghouls 'n Ghosts Master System Sega
Michael Jackson's Moonwalker Master System Sega
Code Name Nintendo Entertainment System Capcom
Chiyonofuji no Ōichō Family Computer Face
Operation Wolf PC Engine NEC Avenue
Pengo Game Gear Sega
Super Monaco GP Master System Sega
1991 Battle Commander: Hachibushu Shura no Heihou Super Famicom Banpresto
1992 Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger Family Computer Bandai
Great Battle Cyber Family Computer Banpresto
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Game Boy Angel
Cyber Spin Super NES Takara
Ayrton Senna's Super Monaco GP II Master System Sega
1993 Battletoads Game Gear, Genesis Sega
Suzuka 8 Hours Super NES Namco
1994 Gaia Saver Super Famicom Banpresto
Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon Mega Drive Bandai
Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon S: Jōgai Rantō!? Shuyaku Sōdatsusen Super Famicom Angel
1995 Exector PlayStation
Wizard's Harmony PlayStation, Saturn
1997 Wizard's Harmony 2 PlayStation, Saturn
1998 Guilty Gear PlayStation, PSP, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch Sammy Studios
Wizard's Harmony R PlayStation
1999 Prismaticallization Dreamcast, PlayStation
Tanaka Torahiko no Uru Toraryuu Shogi Dreamcast, PlayStation
2000 Guilty Gear X NAOMI, Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance, Windows Sammy Studios
Grappler Baki: Baki Saikyo Retsuden PlayStation 2 Tomy
2001 Guilty Gear X Plus PlayStation 2 Sammy Studios
Digital Holmes PlayStation 2
2002 X: Unmei no Sentaku PlayStation Namco
2003 Guilty Gear X Ver.1.5 Atomiswave Sammy Studios
Guilty Gear X2 NAOMI, PlayStation 2 Sammy Studios
Guilty Gear X2#Reload NAOMI, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows, PSP Sammy Studios
2004 Guilty Gear Isuka Atomiswave, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows Sammy Studios
Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors Game Boy Advance Atari/Banpresto/Bandai
2005 Fist of the North Star Atomiswave, PlayStation 2 Sega
Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors 2 Nintendo DS Atari/Banpresto/Bandai
Guilty Gear XX Slash NAOMI, PlayStation 2, PSP Sammy Studios/SEGA
2006 Guilty Gear XX Accent Core NAOMI, PlayStation 2, Wii Sammy Studios/Aksys Games (US)
2007 Guilty Gear 2 Xbox 360, Windows Arc System Works/Aksys Games/505 Games
Battle Fantasia Taito Type X2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows Arc System Works/Aksys Games/505 Games
Hoshigami Remix Nintendo DS ASNetworks/Aksys Games/505 Games
2008 Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus PlayStation 2, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 Sammy Studios/Arc System Works(Wii)
BlazBlue Taito Type X2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows, PSP Arc System Works/Aksys Games/PQube/Zen United
Sengoku Basara X System 246 / System 256, PlayStation 2 Capcom
Super Dodgeball Brawlers Nintendo DS Arc System Works/Aksys Games
Tantei Jinguji Saburo DS Nintendo DS Arc System Works/WorkJam
Petit Copter Wii[19] Aqua System
Family Table Tennis Wii Aksys Games
2009 Family Glide Hockey Wii Aksys Games
Family Pirate Party Wii Aksys Games
Family Mini Golf Wii Aksys Games
Family Slot Car Racing Wii Aksys Games
Family Card Games Wii Aksys Games
Family Grand Tennis Wii Aksys Games
BlazBlue Taito Type X2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Arc System Works/Aksys Games/Arc System Works UK
Animal Puzzle Adventure DSiWare
Jazzy Billiards Nintendo DSi
Othello Windows, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DSi, Nintendo Switch, PSP, PlayStation Vita, Wii, Wii U[20]
2010 BlazBlue: Continuum Shift II Taito Type X2, PSP, Nintendo 3DS Arc System Works/Aksys Games/Arc System Works UK
BlayzBloo DSiWare
2011 Hard Corps PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Konami
Nurarihyon no Mago: Hyakki Ryouran Taisen PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Konami
2012 BlazBlue: Chronophantasma Taito Type X2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita Arc System Works/Aksys Games
Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R Arcade, PlayStation Vita, Windows, Nintendo Switch Sammy Studios/Arc System Works (Steam)
BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PSP, Windows Arc System Works/Aksys Games/Arc System Works UK
Persona 4 Arena Taito Type X2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Atlus
Kyūkōsha no Shōjo Nintendo 3DS
Phi Brain: Kizuna no Puzzle PlayStation Portable
2013 Persona 4 Arena Ultimax Taito Type X2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows Atlus/Sega
Xblaze Code PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Windows Arc System Works/Aksys Games/Funbox Media
Magical Beat PlayStation Vita
Damascus Gear PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Windows, Nintendo Switch Arc System Works
2014 Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN- Sega RingEdge 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows Arc System Works/Aksys Games
BlazBlue: Chronophantasma Extend Taito Type X2 (as 2.0), PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation Vita, Windows Arc System Works/Aksys Games
Conveni Dream Nintendo 3DS
Fantasy Hero: Unsigned Legacy PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch
Slice It! Nintendo 3DS Arc System Works/Aksys Games
2015 Downtown Nekketsu Koushinkyoku: Soreyuke Daiundoukai All-Star Special PlayStation 3
Family Tennis SP Wii U Aksys Games
BlazBlue Taito Type X2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Nintendo Switch Arc System Works/Aksys Games/PQube
XBlaze Lost PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita Arc System Works/Aksys Games
Dragon Ball Z Nintendo 3DS Bandai Namco Entertainment
2016 Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR- Sega RingEdge 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows Arc System Works/Aksys Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment (Sign)
Chase Nintendo 3DS[21] Arc System Works/Aksys Games
Inferno Climber PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Windows
One Piece: Great Pirate Colosseum Nintendo 3DS Bandai Namco Entertainment
River City Melee: Battle Royale SP PlayStation 4, Windows Arc System Works, H2 Interactive
2017 Double Dragon IV PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Simple Mahjong Online Nintendo Switch
Birthdays the Beginning PlayStation 4, Windows NIS America
Jake Hunter Detective Story: Ghost of the Dusk Nintendo 3DS Arc System Works/Orange
Shephy Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Windows
2018 Dragon Ball FighterZ PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S Bandai Namco Entertainment
Happy Birthdays Nintendo Switch NIS America
BlazBlue PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Windows, Arcade, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
2019 Wizard's Symphony PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
River City Melee Mach!! PlayStation 4, Windows, Nintendo Switch
Stay Cool, Kobayashi-San!: A River City Ransom Story PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Nintendo Switch
2020 Code Shifter PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Nintendo Switch
Granblue Fantasy Versus PlayStation 4, Windows Cygames/XSEED Games
2021 Guilty Gear Strive PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Arcade, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S Arc System Works/Bandai Namco Entertainment
2022 DNF Duel[22] PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Windows Nexon
2023 Granblue Fantasy Versus PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows Cygames/XSEED Games
2024 Another Code: Recollection Nintendo Switch Nintendo

Games published

Year Title Platform(s) Developers
2006 Castle of Shikigami III Arcade, Wii, Xbox 360, Windows Alfa System, Barnhouse Effect
2007 Hooked! Real Motion Fishing Wii[23] SIMS
2009 Strikers 1945 Plus Portable PSP Psikyo
2011 Arcana Heart 3 PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Examu, Team Arcana
2012 Chaos Code PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows FK Digital
Go! Go! Kokopolo - Harmonious Forest Revenge[24] Nintendo DS Tanukii Studios Limited
2014 Arcana Heart 3: Love Max!!!!! Taito X2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Windows Examu, Team Arcana
Tokyo Twilight Ghost Hunters PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita Toybox Inc.
Under Night In-Birth: Exe Late PlayStation 3, Windows Ecole Software, French Bread
2015 Skullgirls: 2nd Encore (Japan only) PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita Reverge Labs/Lab Zero
2016 Tokyo Twilight Ghost Hunters: Daybreak Special Gigs PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Windows Toybox Inc.
2017 Arcana Heart 3: Love Max Six Stars!!!!! Taito Type X2, Windows Examu, Team Arcana
Melty Blood Actress Again Current Code Windows Type-Moon, French-Bread, Ecole Software
Under Night In-Birth: Exe Late[st] Sega RingEdge 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Windows Ecole Software, French Bread
Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap (Asia only) PlayStation 4 Lizardcube
DJMax Respect (Japan only) PlayStation 4 Rocky Studio, Neowiz MUCA
2018 Resonance of Fate (Japan only) PlayStation 4 tri-Ace
World End Syndrome Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 Toybox Games
The Missing: J.J. Macfield and the Island of Memories Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows White Owls Inc.
2019 Kill la Kill the Game: IF Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows A+ Games
River City Girls Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, PlayStation 5 WayForward
2020 Under Night In-Birth: Exe Late[cl-r] Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Sega ALLS HX Ecole Software, French Bread
2021 Kowloon High-School Chronicle Nintendo Switch Toybox Inc.
Arcana Heart 3: Love Max Six Stars Xtend!!!!! Windows, ex-Arcadia Team Arcana
River City Saga: Three Kingdoms Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows A+ Games
2022 Ground Divers![25] Nintendo Switch Studio Tsuruhashi
RWBY: Arrowfell[26] Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S WayForward
River City Girls 2 Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S WayForward
2023 [[Software:Under Night In-Birth#II [Sys:Celes]|Under Night In-Birth II [Sys:Celes]]] Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows French Bread
2024 Library of Ruina Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 Project Moon

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "社長所感~アークシステムワークス創業30周年を迎えて~ | Arc System Works Official Web Site". http://www.arcsystemworks.jp/portal/post-9868/. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Company". Arc System Works. 3 February 2018. https://arcsystemworks.com/company/. 
  3. "BlazBlue series creator Toshimichi Mori leaves Arc System Works". 25 September 2022. https://www.gematsu.com/2022/09/blazblue-series-creator-toshimichi-mori-leaves-arc-system-works. 
  4. "企業データ | ARC SYSTEM WORKS OFFICIAL WEB SITE". https://www.arcsystemworks.jp/portal/company/data/.html. 
  5. "Forums de discussion jeux vidéo Gamekult - Gamekult". http://www.gamekult.com/forum/. 
  6. 6.0 6.1 "ARC SYSTEM WORKS OFFICIAL WEBSITE". 10 May 2012. https://arcsystemworks.com/profile.html. 
  7. brandonthomasorselli (2019-06-25). "One of Arc System Works' Earliest Games, Pizza Pop!, Finally Gets Translated" (in en-US). https://nichegamer.com/2019/06/25/one-of-arc-system-works-earliest-games-pizza-pop-finally-gets-translated/. 
  8. Quesada, Daniel (2020-07-04). "Así era Sailor Moon S, el primer juego de lucha de Arc System Works" (in es). https://www.hobbyconsolas.com/reportajes/era-sailor-moon-s-primer-juego-lucha-arc-system-works-671629. 
  9. Sarkar, Samit (12 June 2015). "Double Dragon and Other Technos Brands Acquired by Arc System Works (update)". Polygon. Vox Media. http://www.polygon.com/2015/6/12/8771015/arc-system-works-acquires-technos-brands-double-dragon. 
  10. "「ファミコン探偵倶楽部」、「半熟英雄」から「超兄貴」までそしてNEOGEOも――10月の「バーチャルコンソール」ラインアップ" (in ja). ITmedia. 28 September 2007. https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/games/articles/0709/28/news122.html. 
  11. "あの『くにおくん』がニンテンドーDSで復活!『超熱血高校くにおくん ドッジボール部』 - ファミ通.com". https://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/2007/08/02/104,1186017852,76203,0,0.html. 
  12. "『ぶれいぶるー くろーんふぁんたずま』体験版と『びっくり熱血新記録!はるかなる金メダル』がニンテンドーeショップで配信". https://www.famitsu.com/news/201301/23027637.html. 
  13. "Wiiウェア『おきらくスゴロクWii』追加コンテンツ&VC『ダブルドラゴン』2009年2月24日より配信開始". https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2009/02/24/33845.html. 
  14. "Nintendo.com – River City Ransom – Game Info". 14 November 2013. https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/Z7BAknbDkSyizF0zLTU0Mqj7VEdv_qhr. 
  15. "River City Ransom". https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/Z7BAknbDkSyizF0zLTU0Mqj7VEdv_qhr. 
  16. "Nintendo.com – Crash 'n the Boys Street Challenge – Game Info". 22 December 2013. https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/-w_OoCXsbGRtawbsVbwEZc4W7dhQrgQF. 
  17. Jenni (6 February 2017). "Arc System Works Picks Up the Jake Hunter and Theresia Series". Siliconera. Curse, Inc.. http://www.siliconera.com/2017/02/06/arc-system-works-picks-jake-hunter-theresia-series/. 
  18. "Arc System Works Establishes North American Branch" (Press release). Torrance, California: Arc System Works. 3 November 2017. Archived from the original on 5 November 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  19. "Petit missions in Petit Copter". http://www.nintendowiifanboy.com/2007/08/06/petit-missions-in-petit-copter/. 
  20. "ARC SYSTEM WORKS Othello シリーズサイト". https://www.arcsystemworks.jp/othello/. 
  21. "3DS adventure game Chase: Unsolved Cases Investigation Division by Another Code staff announced". 11 March 2016. http://gematsu.com/2016/03/3ds-adventure-game-chase-unsolved-cases-investigation-division-another-code-staff-announced. 
  22. "Arc System Works-developed Dungeon Fighter fighting game DNF Duel announced [Update"]. December 26, 2020. https://www.gematsu.com/2020/12/arc-system-works-developed-dungeon-fighter-fighting-game-dnf-duel-announced. 
  23. "Bass Fishing Wii~ロクマル伝説~". http://www.arcsystemworks.jp/60/index.html. 
  24. "Arc System Works - Kokopolo". https://www.arcsystemworks.jp/arcstyle/kokopolo/. 
  25. "Arc System Works announces mining action game Ground Divers! for Switch" (in en-US). 2022-06-10. https://www.gematsu.com/2022/06/arc-system-works-announces-mining-action-game-ground-divers-for-switch. 
  26. "WayForward, Arc System Works, and Rooster Teeth announce RWBY video game, coming 2021". 16 September 2020. https://nintendowire.com/news/2020/09/16/wayforward-arc-system-works-and-rooster-teeth-announce-rwby-video-game-coming-2021/. 

External links